“Sovereign Bank considers the Latino community in Rhode Island a key to future economic growth in the state. The bank can be very helpful by targeting capital and providing specialized services that will give the Latino community a boost toward financial success.”

“We are delighted to have these disputes resolved and put behind us. Sovereign has a proven track record of creating more than a 200% increase in shareholder value over the last ten years, and our board, including Ralph Whitworth, our other new director and the Santander and Independence Community Bank representatives, will work together to continue to deliver superior value going forward.”

“Due to the prolonged flatness to slight inversion in the yield curve, the company is focused on stabilizing our net interest margin, controlling expense growth and maximizing generation of capital. We are disappointed that operating/cash earnings per share were lower than a year ago, but are hopeful this trend will change by the second half of 2006.”